Ice TROLLER-Thought You Might Like To See This

[Rick]

It's another "safer" method of ice fishing transportation -

The Wilcraft Ice Troller - Click Here

The Ice Troller is used by The Cranker Guide Service out of Appledorn's Sunset Bay Resort on Mille lacs Lake.

[MNice]

Very neat, can't wait till the 12th when I'm up at Appledoorn's!!

[thirdeye]

What a great idea...but it's a little harder to hide in the garage than a new auger.

[ice_it_06]

Great looking set up and rather simple looking design.

Curious to see what kind of $$$ is put on them. Could be a real "boom" product if reasonable. Would like to see one pull itself out of water and run in deep snow.Thinking two adults in heavy snow might work a 8 hp rather well. Home page showed one sunk in the water.

Has my curiosity running wild transportation. portable, & perm all in one sounds ideal.

[SomethingFishy*]

I saw these at the Ice Fishing Show, they were a little over 10K if I remember correctly.

[mnvikingsfreak]

ouch

[ice_it_06]

Well that takes care of my personal curiosity and interest. Pretty well sinks any chance of a boom market product I think as well. Great concept but $10,000 of my $$$ needs to deliver much more. New wheeler, 12'shell perm, and nice portable can be had for $10,000.

[Rick]

It is built for the upscale market like a Ranger boat owner (looks it too) and it does get itself out of the water and back onto the ice from what I was told.

It also is supposed to handle deep snow well.

[ice_it_06]

Thanks for the insight Rick.

Will be interesting to see its progress as a product targeted to the upscale demographic only. Very limited percentage of the angler market in my mind. But if its revenue geared I guess thats where you try first and hope it lives. I thought $7,000 was still in my wheel house for consideration. I think the idea might resurface elsewhere in the future so maybe in time like all things new and exciting it will level its price out to all income demograhics.

[eyepatrol]

Very neat and interesting product! Gotta love innovative thinkers. Price, if it's 10k, would certainly be a problem for most anglers as mentioned in this thread. Can get a 4-wheeler and portable for much less than that, and this product is close to what that resembles (4-wheeler & portable).

Still, a very intersting vehicle that gives new definition to being mobile on the ice.

[BigWadeS]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that. Gives a new meaning to "honey, guess what I want to get" get show again, thanks

[Desperado]

I believe that for a fair price comparison, one should look at other amphibious vehicles (not "4-wheeler" ATV's).

The Wilcraft would be in about the same price range as a Argo 6 wheeler and definitely less than an Argo 8 wheeler.

Argo and Wilcraft both float. (some "four wheeler ATV's float up-side-down; some don't float at all)

Argo has more horsepower (but also significantly more weight)

The Argo doesn't have the "drop down" feature of a "self contained fishing vehicle".

(And ... from what I've heard) If you "break through", an Argo or an ATV are both quite a bit harder than a Wilcraft to get back up onto the ice.

Consider your wants/needs/budget. Each has its place. I'm seriously considering a Wilcraft instead of an ATV.

[Koldfront Kraig]

I'd like to see a video of one running in deep snow or deep snow with slush.

It would also be nice to see one break through the ice and get itself out.

[harvey lee]

One thing a fisherman has to also think about is the safety on the ice. I have fished with Cranker twice in the last week using the Wilcraft. We have fished in places no one else is fishing.

As I have traveled all over the big pond in this machine I have never felt that my safety was a concern. This machine is lighter per square inch on the ice than one is walking. If it were to break through, you can drive out and it does float.

My wheeler will sink and I would never have traveled the places we have went in the past two trips.

Great machine. I will say that they are also tons of fun to fish with.

[Desperado]

Quote:

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I'd like to see a video of one running in deep snow or deep snow with slush.

It would also be nice to see one break through the ice and get itself out.

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Me too!! Keep watch of thewilcraft HSOforum.

I suspect one of these days we'll see some video demonstrating the Wilcraft's capabilities. But where's a film crew gonna find deep snow these days?

[mnwildman]

And how will the thing go though a foot of snow(if we ever get that much). That was just one of my concerns when getting involved with the prototype building of this machine.

[harvey lee]

I personally have only been through a few inches without a problem. If we get some snow , then I might be able to tell you more from experience. For a 8hp motor, they have pretty good power. My guess would be that they will do a good job.

[Rick]

I was told it will handle plenty of snow and if you see the pic of the vehicle in water on their site I was told they climbed out with the wilcraft under power and without getting out.

[JustinHoppe]

I know you would need a shelter tag on it but would you need some kind of atv registration too?

[Mike Walerak]

The Wilcraft is the ultimate ice machine. Rick and I fished togather last Sat. at the Otter Run and were able to move around quickly. Changing spots is only a matter of drilling 3 holes.

All I know is if I spend too much time in that rig I will have one coming home with me. I think my wife will understand!

mw

[Desperado]

Anybody see Rusty Gatenby this morning?

I hear he was down at RiverCentre do a preview of the Sportsmans Show and he showcased the Wilcraft during one of his segments.